Self-indulgence often manifests as debauchery, a form of excessive gratification that wastes one's body and resources. In Proverbs 23:21, the term for glutton is linked to debauchees or wasters of their own body, highlighting the destructive nature of such behavior. This unrestrained pursuit of sensual appetites for personal pleasure promotes attitudes like fanaticism, false security, presumption, and fun-seeking, reflecting a deeper obsession with selfish desires. The effects of this lifestyle are dire, leading to poverty, spiritual emptiness, and ultimately death, as it fosters an endless striving for more worldly pleasure that can spiral into full-blown addiction. Spiritually, this debauchery is evident in the craving for false doctrines and pagan influences, akin to the Israelites who grew fat and rejected God, becoming mischievous and vicious from being spoiled. Such spiritual gluttony remains a persistent trap, alluring to those who lack restraint and are drawn to enticing, repackaged temptations.

The concept of debauchery emerges in the discussion of the Greek word "eros," which signifies sexual and romantic attraction. This term, derived from the name of the mythological Greek god of love, had degraded significantly by the first century, to the point where it evoked images of debauchery rather than proper sexual love between a husband and wife. Due to these negative connotations, the apostles avoided using "eros" even in the context of rightful marital relations, opting instead for euphemisms like "marriage bed" or phrases such as "becoming one flesh" and "rendering due affection." They recognized that the word brought to mind licentious and perverse behaviors prevalent in the Roman world at the time, which stood in stark contrast to the honorable intimacy intended within marriage. Consequently, when addressing sexual activity outside of marriage, the apostles employed terms like "pornea," meaning fornication or sexual immorality, and "moicheia," meaning adultery, to highlight the sinful nature of such acts and the judgment they incur from God.

The relentless push for sexual freedom has marked much of the cultural landscape over recent decades, driven by a desire to dismantle all restrictions on sexuality. This movement has progressed from advocating free sex and challenging traditional norms to embracing diverse sexual orientations, homosexual marriage, and now transgenderism, with speculations of even more extreme boundaries being tested, such as pedophilia or pederasty. The core aim appears to be the complete erasure of moral boundaries, particularly those akin to the seventh commandment against adultery, extending to all associated moral precepts. Society increasingly accepts practices like having multiple sexual partners before and after marriage, directly opposing God's laws against fornication and adultery. Such behaviors are now standard, with only a diminishing group of religious conservatives upholding ideals like virgin marriage and spousal fidelity. Public ridicule has targeted efforts to maintain purity, with even mainstream church leaders capitulating to modern sexual movements, dismissing purity as an impossible standard and yielding to cultural pressures for acceptance rather than upholding divine law. The terms adultery and fornication have become outdated in common discourse, used almost exclusively in theological contexts, as few now consider these acts wrong. Legally, while adultery remains on the books in some states, it is rarely enforced, often deemed unconstitutional or invasive to personal freedom by courts, leaving it largely to religious domains that have failed to maintain these standards. Feminists and others have pushed to eliminate such laws, viewing them as tools of oppression, further reducing legal consequences to minor impacts in divorce cases or rare alienation of affection lawsuits. As a result, adultery and other forms of sexual immorality are widely practiced with little fear or guilt, barely registering as wrong in the public consciousness. With increasing secularization and a growing anti-God sentiment, such behaviors are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, confronted a similar disregard for laws against fornication and adultery in His era, not just among the broader Roman empire but also among the Jews, where easy divorce facilitated serial adultery, a practice He sought to correct among His disciples. Expanding on the commandment against adultery, Jesus Christ broadens its scope to include all forms of sexual infidelity and perversion, regardless of marital status, age, or gender. He uses the term to imply moral corruption or debauchery, emphasizing that illicit sex is evil whenever and by whomever it is practiced. Unrepentant engagement in such acts bars one from the Kingdom of God, highlighting the grave spiritual consequences. He further reveals that the root of sexual immorality lies in the heart, where lustful thoughts alone constitute sin, without necessitating a physical act, thus underscoring the need for purity of mind and spirit. For Christians, sexual immorality is uniquely wicked, defiling both body and spirit and representing unfaithfulness to Christ, our divine Spouse. It associates Him with corrupt behavior due to our union with Him, making it a profound betrayal. This sin is not merely personal; it impacts relationships with spouses, future partners, family, and most critically, with God, carrying eternal consequences. Jesus Christ urges drastic measures to avoid such sin, using hyperbole to stress the importance of sacrificing anything that leads to immorality to ensure entry into the Kingdom of God. Specific manifestations like pornography exacerbate this issue, ensnaring both men and women through visual temptation, leading to further sins such as auto-eroticism, which is equally condemned as selfish and immoral. These practices harm current and future relationships and must be eradicated through repentance and seeking God's forgiveness to pursue a life of purity an

Debauchery is a serious issue that can lead to the dissipation of our spiritual energy. The apostle Paul's epistle to Titus emphasizes the importance of avoiding debauchery, particularly in the context of church leadership. The children of a man being considered for the ministry should not be justly accused of debauchery, as this would reflect poorly on the man's ability to lead and govern his family. Debauchery, along with drunkenness and overeating, is seen as a form of dissipation that can lead to a disorderly and ungoverned life. To fulfill God's purpose, we must reject such harmful habits and strive to develop positive, self-sacrificing habits that align with God's standards.

In the pursuit of happiness, some cultures, like those of Rome and Greece during their declines, became notorious for pleasure-seeking that escalated into orgies and bacchanalian revelries. These extreme festivities stand as stark examples of how far the quest for joy can go. Yet, there is a danger inherent in such pursuits, especially during festival times, where the pursuit of joy can overshadow more significant purposes. God warns that unchecked gaiety can turn to hilarity, hilarity to revelry, and revelry to debauchery, causing the loss of true, God-produced joy. He urges us to listen and stay clear of idolatry, reminding us of His role as the one who frees us from bondage, so that our rejoicing does not devolve into mere excess and lose its spiritual value.